Homemade Ash Vacuum System

I've built an ash vacuum system for this coal burning season and I thought I'd share some photos with you all.
First, let me state this is not my idea. The concept was developed by one of our NE Ohio coal burners and implemented by McKoker last season. I saw his in action and it worked well with rice coal.
Here's what we did:
Build a 48" airtight cube. We used 5/8" plywood for this. Plywood is fastened to a 2x4 or 2x2 frame, is screwed together and edges sealed with waterproof silicone caulk. Mount a Toro "Ultra Blower Vac model 51599" to the top of the cube using the vacuum attachment as the base. Seal the connection with caulk. Install the suction hose through the side near the top, seal the connection with caulk. We used "Windtrax # 2-15-GRAY Smooth-Bor" vacuum hose, 2" ID, very flexible and kink resistant. Drill a 2 3/8" hole through the rim joist and route hose into basement. Seal pass-through with caulk. Install a duplex GFI receptacle outside house. Wire power through on/off switch mounted in the basement near the hose entry. Connect an extension cord from the outlet to the blower. Cover with a plastic container turned upsidedown to protect it from the elements. Provide openings for the electrical cord and the blower tube to pass through.
To use vacuum:
Let your ashes cool for a day after taking them out of the stoker furnace/stove. Carry them to where you have the vacuum hose (if necessary). Flip the switch and vacuum them away. What's happening outside the house is the vacuum motor is sucking everything into the box. The ash and all the light material is being dispersed in a large white cloud. All the heavier material is falling into the box.
Next spring I'll have a project opening the box and cleaning it out, but I'll use my front end loader to help me with that.
Here's a couple of photos:

If you get a chance, can you post a video of your vac in operation? I'd like to see how big a cloud is generated while operating.

Jeff

Once I get the furnace going (should be soon) I'll ask my daughter to shoot a video of the ash being vacuumed and the cloud that comes out. Thanks for the suggestion.
-Len

I was thinking of doing the same thing only using a metal 55 gallon drum with a sealable top. Changing the drums when full and using a "sock" filter I saw while researching the vacumn. The filter cuts down on the cloud and are inexpensive.

ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!!!

I think I found a use for my 10 year old useless Toro electric leaf blower that doesn't do well with 7 maples, 1 oak and 4 pines on my small 100x125 lot! I use it to blow grass clippings off the driveway, once in a blue moon.

I have been thinking about a system with an old Craftsman shop vac. It would use a 55 gallon drum also. At least I know it will work after seeing your system. Now I just need to find time!!

Kevin

Is it just me ???

Or does anyone else think storing ash -- even day old ash in a plywood box is just a bit dicey!

stokerscot wrote:I was thinking of doing the same thing only using a metal 55 gallon drum with a sealable top. Changing the drums when full and using a "sock" filter I saw while researching the vacumn. The filter cuts down on the cloud and are inexpensive.

Use your old pantyhose or knee highs for a filter I mean your wifes old pantyhose/ knee highs

coal berner wrote:Use your old pantyhose or knee highs for a filter

Puleeeze! Neighborhood decorum must be maintained!

Sting wrote:does anyone else think storing ash -- even day old ash in a plywood box is just a bit dicey!

Yeah, I like the 55-gallon steel drum better.
I wonder how close the leaf blower can come to imploding a steel drum, or the plywood box? Our little Kenmore canister vac produces about 5 pounds per square inch suction (estimated by observing that it will just barely pick up a 5 pound box of sugar). That's 5 X 144 = 720 pounds per square foot, or 11,520 pounds on each side of the 48-inch cube. Of course that is mitigated by the opening that lets the ash in.
CoaLen, try blocking off the inlet, and tell us what happens. Not making fun of you, honest. I just want to know....

The suction does draw down the top of the box. With the motor running full speed and inlet blocked I see about 1/2" deflection in the center. The sides are stiffened by braces I ran across the box internally and don't show any movement (photo attached).
-Len

It seems like a good idea, let us know how it works.

rberq wrote:

coal berner wrote:Use your old pantyhose or knee highs for a filter

Puleeeze! Neighborhood decorum must be maintained!

Sting wrote:does anyone else think storing ash -- even day old ash in a plywood box is just a bit dicey!

Yeah, I like the 55-gallon steel drum better.
I wonder how close the leaf blower can come to imploding a steel drum, or the plywood box? Our little Kenmore canister vac produces about 5 pounds per square inch suction (estimated by observing that it will just barely pick up a 5 pound box of sugar). That's 5 X 144 = 720 pounds per square foot, or 11,520 pounds on each side of the 48-inch cube. Of course that is mitigated by the opening that lets the ash in.
CoaLen, try blocking off the inlet, and tell us what happens. Not making fun of you, honest. I just want to know....

Stokerscott lives in the sticks no Neigborhood decorum concerns there

Nawwwwwww, I don't live in the sticks, But your special friend Wonebignut does

I like the basic idea...but what do you do with a box of ashes once it's full? It'll weigh 700 pounds!

Freddy,
The blower tends to separate and expel the airborn ash from the unburned coal, bone, ect. during the vacuum process. I'm left with mostly the heavy stuff. Next spring I'll open the box and shovel the contents into my front end loader and take it back into the field behind us. I've got some ground hog holes to fill in. Who knows; 50 years from now maybe someone will start strip mining the "coal field" they discovered in Ohio.
-Len